Working with the IfM

The IfM has been a pioneer of collaborations between academics, industrialists and policy makers.

We believe such close links are essential to facilitate the flow of knowledge between all three and to develop the skills and approaches needed to meet the challenges facing manufacturing industries.

Working with companies

Our research and education programmes are underpinned by close engagement with industry, facilitating the rapid transfer of new ideas into businesses. Researchers work with companies of all sizes and from a wide range of sectors to identify priorities and to test and refine new tools and techniques. A number of joint academic/industry consortia have been formed to address particular issues. Areas of focus include global manufacturing networks, international supply chains, next generation ink jet technologies, automated identification technologies and service systems.

Special interest groups exist for smaller companies including the Innovation and Design Management Club and the Production Planning and Control Group. Each year around 200 companies host projects for the IfM's undergraduate and post-graduate students, giving the students direct experience of many different industries and working environments.
Ways of working with the IfM …More information…

Working with governments

We work with governments around the world, developing understanding of the policies required to support innovation and strong industrial growth. These activities include commissioned research on specific topics, advice to senior policy makers, membership of government bodies and contributions to policy reviews.

The Institute has growing experience of helping developing economies to build their industrial base, working with the governments concerned to establish appropriate policies and education programmes. A recent example has been the setting up of the Industrial Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Management programme (IIEM) at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

Working with business support agencies

We work with business support agencies to help companies make use of the results of our research.

Working with academia

We are involved in many collaborations with other UK academic centres and with universities around the world. We are one of a select group of government-funded UK Innovative Manufacturing Research Centres working together to solve emerging industrial issues. The IfM has taken the lead in developing the Manufacturing Professors Forum, a focus for the academic community in this field.